Backpacking Outline

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

This is the Backpacking Outline for the Boy Scout Summer Camp Merit Badge Program. The Boy Scouts of America wrote this document to assist summer camp staffs. However, with a little adjustment, this outline could easily be used at merit badge clinics and midways, camporees, and even in the troop program.

Introduction

Your challenge as a summer camp merit badge counselor is to see that the Scouts who attend your session have the best opportunity to learn all about backpacking. It is important that they have a positive experience. This lesson plan is designed to help you plan a logical, high-quality program. You may have to use a slightly different approach in presenting the material based on your camp resources and facilities.

Resources

Be sure to utilize all the resources available to you. State and federal agencies or other organizations can provide you with a variety of materials and even personnel to help you deliver the Backpacking merit badge program.

DAY

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION

1

Greet Scouts

A.

Examine all merit badge cards for the Scoutmaster's signature. Make a roster of the Scouts.

Discuss

B.

Review requirement 1 and have Scouts demonstrate first-aid techniques. Sign off on requirements as they complete them.

Discuss/Demonstrate

C.

Discuss and demonstrate requirement 5.

2

Discuss/Demonstrate

A.

Discuss requirements 2a and 2b. Have Scouts discuss this requirement and demonstrate how to pack a backpack.

Demonstrate

B.

Refresh Scouts on map-reading techniques. Then have Scouts play some of the compass games in Troop Program Resources.

3

Discuss/Demonstrate

A.

Discuss and demonstrate requirements 3, 4, and 7

Review

B.

Review compass techniques.

Plan

C.

Plan a patrol hike for tomorrow. Bring backpacks if Scouts have them, and complete requirement 9a.

4

Discuss

A.

Instruct Scouts on requirements 9b and 9c and have them complete them tomorrow.

Hike

B.

Go on a hike, stopping periodically to allow a different Scout to establish where you are on the map. Do this until all Scouts have completed requirement 6.

Note

C.

Inform the Scoutmaster of any Scout who might not complete the badge.

5

Wrap up

A.

Wrap up all the requirements. Prepare the merit badge cards for the proper signatures. If any Scout does not complete all the requirements, make sure that his records properly indicate the requirements that he has completed and that the Scout knows why he did not complete the badge requirements.